Crates

A pet crate is a staple product for a majority of
dog owners, particularly new pet parents of a puppy or dog, as it provides a
safe environment, aids in puppy training and housebreaking, and provides safety
for travel. Crates are not a
tool for punishment or negative reinforcement. Instead they are tools that can
help in a positive way! Forgoing the use of a crate or choosing
ineffective ways to train leads to stressed-out pet parents and stressed-out
pets. Besides causing pet anxiety, stress can diminish the amazing bond that
can and should occur between dogs and their people. It can also lead to pet-caused property damage – chewed
shoes, torn-up furniture, and soiled carpets, for example. Worse, dogs can
unwittingly do harm to themselves by getting into household products or eating
materials that make them sick or cause digestive blockages.

Knowing
how to properly crate train and being aware of the many tools and resources
that are available to help with training can lead to happier pets and happier
pet households.

Crate
training can mitigate behavioral problems like excessive chewing and barking,
and it can significantly aid the housebreaking process by teaching dogs a
schedule and helping them avoid accidents. With a crate, pet parents
are taking advantage of a dog’s'
natural instinct to keep his home clean so that, when he has to "go,"
he’ll try to hold it until he’s taken outside to the proper area.

What’s most
important, a crate helps pet parents provide their dog with more than a place
to sleep; it lets them create an environment that gives their dog a sense of
having his
very own space – a space that fully accommodates his natural den instinct. As
ancestors to dogs in the wild, even our domesticated pets have a
natural instinct to seek out den-like environments.

Wire crates
provide essential visibility and ventilation, giving pets a place in which they
can feel secure without feeling isolated. Plus, wire crates are easy to clean
and often foldable for transport and storage. That makes them really convenient
for pet parents.

Although you’ll find some variety in the marketplace,
the most popular and sought-after wire crate, by far, is the traditional black
wire crate with a clean, high-quality finish. MidWest offers an array of black
wire crates with features that meet specific pet parent needs. Our assortment includes
mid-strength to heavy-duty wire crates, in sizes from an extra-small 18 inches
to a giant 54 inches, as well as a variety of door styles. Contour Crates, a new crate series from MidWest Homes for
Pets, feature exclusive LapLock Technology, which provides multiple lock points
on the perimeter of the door and gives you the safety and security of a
slide-bolt latch. The doors themselves feature a low threshold and a large
opening, allowing pets to enter and exit the crate easily. Our other door options include the traditional slide-bolt latch system offered
with iCrate® and LifeStages®, the Up & Away Door on
Ovation® and Ovation Trainer®, and the MAXLock®
Door System on our LifeStages® A.C.E. Other key features and
advantages sought by pet parents – and found in our crates – are easy-to-clean
plastic pans, a fold-and-carry design, ease of use, and overall safety and
security.

Wire
crates from Midwest also feature divider panels that allow the pet parent to
select one crate that will “fit” their pup from puppyhood to adulthood – no
need to purchase larger and larger crates as they grow!

Yet
another option, an alternative to a wire crate, is a soft-sided or “tent”
crate. They’re fine for day-to-day home use, but they’re fantastic for going
camping with dogs who love outdoor adventures! It helps that these crates are
lightweight and easy to carry whether folded or assembled. They’re great for
travel and they store with ease. Just note that soft-sided crates should be
provided only for trained dogs who are comfortable using a crate, and tent
crates are not for chewers.

If
a soft-sided crate meets your needs, then the Canine Camper Sportable®
is perfect for you. It features …

water-repellant materials that protect your
pet in outdoor settings and make for easy cleanup after use,

a
synthetic sheepskin pad to
create a soft, comfortable cushion for your pet,

a sturdy folding steel frame,

a secure, easy-zip mesh door
as well as tough,
durable mesh windows that provide proper ventilation and lots of visibility
from within, and

reinforced
corners that contribute to crate durability and long life.

The
carrying handle and collapsible design of the Canine Camper Sportable®
make
it easy to transport when you’re on the go. Fours sizes are available from 24
inches up to and including 42 inches.